Something is Wrong with Brandon Lyon's Elbow

Diamondbacks' closer Brandon Lyon has been spectacular in the early going, but he may be on the shelf for a long time. The second MRI on Lyon's elbow has revealed an "area of concern", which can't be good for a pitcher coming back from elbow surgery. Specifically, the MRI showed some changes surrounding the ulnar collateral ligament.

While team physician Michael Lee gave a "glass half full" assessment, noting that "most of the ligament looks absolutely perfect and fantastic", it seems that one little problem in a ligament can cause the whole thing to fall apart.

Brian Bruney has been closing games for the D-Backs while Lyon has been out. However, if the worst-case scenario comes to pass, and Lyon misses a substantial amount of time, or (gulp) faces Tommy John surgery, the closer role will most likely be reclaimed by 2004 closer Greg Aquino, who has been limited to one 2005 inning by injuries, and who is currently on a minor league rehab assignment.

Danny Graves Designated for Assignment.

Reds closer Danny Graves was designated for assignment today, which means that the Reds have 10 days to trade him or release him. And if you think that another MLB team will be trading for Graves and his $6.25 million salary, you haven't been following baseball very closely lately.

It's almost a certainty at this point that Graves has made his final appearance in a Reds uniform. It is a certainty that he will no longer be blowing 9th inning leads and picking up cheap saves in Cincy anymore. (That will probably become Ryan Wagner's new role.)

It's been a tough year for closers. Another one bites the dust.